The Godfather: Part II (1974)

 

The early life and career of Vito Corleone in 1920s New York is portrayed while his son, Michael, expands and tightens his grip on his crime syndicate stretching from Lake Tahoe, Nevada to pre-revolution 1958 Cuba.

The rare case of a sequel to a masterpiece improving, expanding and deepening the scope of the original; one of the greatest movies ever made.

On renewed viewing: Evey new viewing leaves me in complete amazement over its mastery.

Halliwell****: "Complex gangster movie, explaining the present in terms of the past and providing a comprehensive view of American society, full of good scenes and performances."

Maltin****: "They say it couldn't be done, but cowriter-director Coppola made a sequel that's just as compelling."

 

The Godfather (1972)

 

The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son.

A flawless epic with mastery to be found in all parts, a true cinema classic.

On re-watching: every new reviewing reveals more fascinating details and more context in the narrative.

Halliwell****: "A brilliantly-made film with all the fascination of a snake pit: a warm-hearted family saga except that the members are thieves and murderers. Cutting would help, but the duller conversational sections do heighten the cunningly judged moments of suspense and violence."

Maltin****: "The 1970s' answer to GONE WITH THE WIND, from Mario Puzo's novel...Pulp fiction raised to the highest level; a film of epic proportions, masterfully done, and set to Nino Rota's memorable music. Absolutely irresistible."

 

I Knew It Was You: Rediscovering John Cazale (2009)

 

A portrait of the acting craft of John Cazale and a tour through the movies that defined a generation.

Insightful, but much too short celebration of a great actor; lots of famous actors of equal talent get to pay homage. 

On re-watching: makes you want re-watch all of John Cazale's films. 

The Deer Hunter (1978)

The U.S. Vietnam War impacts and disrupts the lives of people in a small industrial town in Pennsylvania.

From memory (multiple viewings): Controversial for its biased depiction of the Vietnam War, this masterpiece explores the war's impact on an average American community; stellar performances throughout, excellent cinematography and many meticulously staged, often highly intense and harrowing sequences makes it a thoroughly exhausting cinematic experience.

Halliwell*: "The three-hour running time is taken up with crosscutting of a wedding, a deer hunt and a game of Russian roulette. Presumably the audience has to guess the point, if any; meanwhile it may be repelled by this long and savage if frequently engrossing film."

Maltin****: "Stunning film...Long but not overlong, this sensitive, painful, evocative work packs an emotional wallop."

I Knew It Was You: Rediscovering John Cazale (2009)

A portrait of the acting craft of John Cazale and a tour through the movies that defined a generation.

Insightful, but much too short celebration of a great actor; lots of famous actors of equal talent get to pay homage.

New acquisition: I Knew It Was You: Rediscovering John Cazale (2009)

The Deer Hunter (1978)

On the set: Christopher Walken, Robert De Niro, Chuck Aspegren, John Savage and John Cazale

The Godfather: Part II (1974)

The early life and career of Vito Corleone in 1920s New York is portrayed while his son, Michael, expands and tightens his grip on his crime syndicate stretching from Lake Tahoe, Nevada to pre-revolution 1958 Cuba.

The rare case of a sequel to a masterpiece improving, expanding and deepening the scope of the original; one of the greatest movies ever made.

On renewed viewing: I watch the Godfather trilogy at least once a year; nothing to add to my previous comment.

Halliwell****: "Complex gangster movie, explaining the present in terms of the past and providing a comprehensive view of American society, full of good scenes and performances."

Maltin****: "They say it couldn't be done, but cowriter-director Coppola made a sequel that's just as compelling."

The Godfather (1972)

The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son.

A flawless epic with mastery to be found in all parts, a true cinema classic.

I watch the Godfather trilogy at least once a year; nothing to add to my previous comment.

Halliwel****: "A brilliantly-made film with all the fascination of a snake pit: a warm-hearted family saga except that the members are thieves and murderers. Cutting would help, but the duller conversational sections do heighten the cunningly judged moments of suspense and violence."

Maltin****: "The 1970s' answer to GONE WITH THE WIND, from Mario Puzo's novel...Pulp fiction raised to the highest level; a film of epic proportions, masterfully done, and set to Nino Rota's memorable music. Absolutely irresistable."

The Godfather (1972)

On the set: John Cazale, Marlon Brando, Richard Conte and Francis Ford Coppola

The Godfather (1972)

 

The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son.

Dog Day Afternoon (1975)

A man robs a bank to pay for his lover's operation; it turns into a hostage situation and a media circus.